“I’ll keep my head on my shoulders” – Midfielder’s price tag is no issue

Tottenham Hotspur showed their intent to challenge for trophies next season when they completed the signing of Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele for a club record transfer fee (Lyon’s official confirmation).

This was certainly a huge outlay on a 22-year-old with only two years of experience in the French top flight. However, given his diverse skill set some people have suggested that even this fee could turn out to be a bargain for the former Lyon box to box midfielder.

The French international has now said in an interview to L’Equipe that he won’t let the huge price tag get to his head but did admit that he didn’t expect to rise so far up the ladder in such a short time.

When asked how it felt to be worth €70m, the midfielder said, “I don’t realise it yet. My life hasn’t changed.

“It is wonderful what has happened to me. Four years ago, I was with Amiens in CFA 2 (French 5th division), I could never have imagined I would be here today.

“I did not imagine anything, to be honest, I just wanted to climb the slope.

“When you are 18 and you play in the National (3rd division), when you play in CFA 2 (5th division) and you look at people your age who are already in Ligue 1 or in the Champions’ League, at that moment, you cannot reach very high.

“You tell yourself that what is going to make your career is what you already have. Consistency pays in this job.”

Ndombele further added that it is the fear of losing everything that motivates him and that his experience of having started from the bottom will always help him keep his head on his shoulders.

He added, “I will never not be (guided by the fear that it could all stop). Things can change quickly. Today, I am at Tottenham, things are going good, but maybe in 5 years, I will be in Ligue 2.

“You must always keep your head on your shoulders and work. My reality of having started from the lowest point makes me think in this type of way.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is clear from this interview that Ndombele has a terrific attitude and is not only to believe his own hype. If he gets his head down and works hard, then there is no doubt that he can become an important part of the Spurs team as well as the French national team.

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